To shoot or not thats the question

[Izzy]

Ohhhhh boy, what a conundrum.I would wait for Brows but shoot Tines after a week when Brows goes nocturnal.

[kbetts]

Any competition from others, or is this "home?"

[George D. Stout]

If you lived in Pa., you wouldn't be asking that question.

[Dustin Waters]

Not much competition during bow season.  Gun season is a whole different ball game.  When the Indiana Firearms season opens up it is every man woman and child for themselves.  The orange army is thick around the property.  The deer have a very large sanctuary but i hate to think of what happens if one of them were to get "caught" getting there.  Granted the "competition isnt that great around the farm.  One guy has erected a stand out of an old piece of scaffolding, that sounds like a haunted house door everytime he crawls up in it.  Another guy smokes an entire pack of cigarettes before he hunts, while he hunts, and while he walks out of the woods.  EVERYTIME.  The only guy that I know of in the area that does it "right" is the guy about a mile and half away from where these deer are being caught on film.  However that being said he hunts a thick transition area between food source and a sanctuary of about 150 acres.  I say its a sanctuary because nobody hunts and nobody has for at least the past 10 years.  Big deer know how to hide and Im sure big deer are hiding in there every gun season and they dont come out till after dark.  So pressure is light for the most part as long as they stay away from the property lines.  The land is roughly 350 acres with 175-200 being planted in corn.  Two years ago a field of 80 acres worth of corn stood till february which im guessing helped the heard out tremendously that gun season.  Hopefully that happens again if I dont connect or decide to pass.

[luv2bowhunt]

You would not catch me passing on either of those bucks!! Brows sure is a bruiser, thats for sure!!!

[limbcracker]

Both of those deer have passed on there genes to future generations by now. And both have survived several hunting seasons, so they're likely to make themselves very scarce once they get any indication they are being hunted. If I were you I wouldn't have any qualms about taking either one from a herd management perspective, and both are fine trophies. I wonder if tines might even be the son of big'un? They both have kind of a peculiar face and similiar horn structure.

[SlowBowke]

Sounds like a dream spot, or as close as IN has in this area, Dustin.

Whatever you decide, it will be the right one.

Should be a great year for you even if you don't get one knowing what is around.

Good Luck!

[GMMAT]

That buck is SUBSTANTIALLY bigger than anything I've ever seen (in 4 seasons and +/- 250sits on stand.

So I'm guessing that answers it, from my perspective.

[buckeye_hunter]

I will shoot any deer that is legal and gives me a good opportunity. As a result....he would be burger if silly enough to give up a shot even I could make.

-Charlie

[straitera]

3 neighboring properties implemented an 8-point & cull rule where I hunted. Big progress quick although the properties weren't high fenced. Nice 10's & 12's were taken each year. Keep genetic advantages in the breeding population & cull raghorns & does. The more people to adhere the bigger your deer will get. I'd let the young one walk in favor of a doe or fork.

[leatherneck]

I think you already answered that question. If your questioning shooting him, then NO I would wait. You see, I like to pursue big bucks. I ate my tag last year(among other years). But I don't question a buck when I see it. If I do, then it won't get shot(at). I hate to hear someone say" I'll wait until the end of the season and then shoot that one". If they are not worthy enough in Nov., then they aren't worthy enough in the late season. I'd just assume take a doe for meat. My opinion that is.

Mike

[Dustin Waters]

I like your thinking leatherneck.  If he can make it to the end of the season there is a very high chance he makes it to next year.  I do know that more trail cameras are going out very soon and hopefully we can capture some more film on Brows.  But we all know that when the velvet comes off they become completely different animals.

[xtrema312]

I would shoot the one that showed first for a shot, but then it is combat hunting around me even in bow season some times and particularly this year with the x-bows out.  If I were you I would set up to hunt the big one.  If the not as big one shows up and gives you a shot you will answer your own question at that time.  I personally can think all I want about what I will and will not shoot every year, but I never really know until the animal is in range for a shot.

[Forrest Creature 1]

You have to do what your heart tells you is the right thing to do. I hunt with Leatherneck and i have seen some of the deer that he has passed and thought he was crazy, to me it is a very nice deer and if you have a farm were the deer are not pressured you might that that one go. We are bessed to have a very nice farm in Ohio to hunt and get to see some very big deer and some deer that are large antlered deer but have the young looking bodies, so thats the question you will have to ask. Good luck hope you get the deer you want  

[ThomastaylorIII]

SHOOT HIM, ............

Pick a Spot

Whoomp... Run run run run Crash

Repeat if legal